Chapter Thirty Nine

Darius

There was something strange going on with the guardians in Denali and I needed to know what it was. The Volturi were busy, preoccupied with a civil war against the Fraternidad although I didn't doubt they would prevail in the end. It could be that seeing this Johnny H had decided the time was right to declare war on us. It was possibly the best opportunity he had ever had yet he wasn't a warmonger by nature unlike some of the tribes he ruled. I think he understood that even if he could defeat the Volturi he would never destroy us all and that another group, like the Fraternidad or the Romanians, would eventually pick up the reins of power and rebuild our forces. The Volturi were content to allow the guardian tribes to go unmolested provided they didn't turn their attention on us. Nomads who strayed into their territory were fair game but in general they were only interested in the safety of their own kind, of the tribes they watched over. To start a war would be to lay themselves open to possible destruction and most certainly even if they won they would eventually find themselves the targets of attrition from those who survived.

When I finally traced the call I was looking for I understood why there had been so much difficulty. The Denali guardians weren't trying to hide the fact they were preparing for war, they wanted to hide the fact that the Quileutes were there. The pack had taken the children and possibly Charlie to Denali to hide them. What I failed to understand was why Johnny H would involve himself in such a reckless enterprise. I was ready to contact The Major and tell him what I suspected when I got a message straight from Denali, from Johnny H himself, he wanted to speak to me. This was an interesting development, he and I had been aware of each other for many years but he had never initiated contact before. Curious as to his motives I put off the call to The Major until I had spoken to Johnny H first.

"Thank you for agreeing to speak with me Darius, I understand you are a friend of The Major?"

So, this was about the kidnapping!

"I am, which means I am no friend of yours. What is it you want?"

"The Quileutes have put me in a rather awkward position and I would like to speak to The Major before this turns into outright war, something that wouldn't be good for either of our races."

"I have to say I was surprised you were involved in kidnapping, it's not your style."

"No, it's not and I was not involved until the Quileutes made me so. Would it be possible for you to arrange for me to speak with your friend?"

"Possibly, but I'll tell you now you won't get anywhere unless you are prepared to hand over the children, Chief Swan, and the Quileutes responsible for the kidnapping."

There was a long silence and I wondered what caused it,

"There's a problem with agreeing to these demands isn't there? Unwilling to hand over the guilty parties? I should probably tell you that he holds the Quileute elders hostage and time is fast running out for them."

Jasper

When Darius called I had high hopes he had discovered the whereabouts of Charlie and the children but when he told me Johnny H wanted to talk to me I was taken aback.

"Did he say why?"

"Not exactly but I think the Quileutes acted without his agreement as well as that of the elders and he's trying to salvage what he can from the situation. He's afraid of war breaking out."

"He's not alone there. Does he have the children and Charlie?"

"I think so yes and I think he's keen to get them back where they belong but he wants to speak to you first."

Bella, Rose and Emmett joined me as I put the phone on speaker,

"Very well patch him through."

I turned to the others,

"Let me do the talking please."

They nodded and we heard a click as the connection was made,

"Major?"

"Johnny? What is it you want to speak about?"

"We both know the Quileutes acted rashly and I would like to end this before any more blood is spilled."

There was a gasp from Rosalie who thought he meant Charity's and he heard.

"The children are both safe and well but unfortunately the police officer is not. I only found out what he was to your son after the tragedy and I wish to apologize for his death."

Bella's grip on my hand tightened and I could feel rage mixed in with her relief at hearing Caden and Charity were both safe.

"Who killed him? The Quileutes?"

"Not directly no, but who did is unimportant at the moment. What is important is that I do not wish to fight you or the Cullens unless you force me to. I know you are holding the Quileute elders and in exchange for their freedom I am willing to send the children back to you, after all the elders knew nothing about the pack's activities."

"What about the pack? What about Sam and the others? You know there's no way I am going to agree to allow them to go unpunished."

"I understand why you feel the way you do and I am prepared to punish them myself for their actions."

"NO"

Both Bella and Rosalie had the same reaction to that idea,

"If you think we're going to let them crawl away after what they've done, what they've put us through then you have no idea..."

I hushed them both with a gesture and continued,

"You've heard the answer to that."

"I take it that was the mother of the girl and your mate? I understand how they feel but I wouldn't be much of a leader if I just handed them over to you now would I Major?"

"If you were a competent leader then they would never have committed the actions they are responsible for."

There was a long silence this time and I wondered if I pushed him too far, if in fact it would come to war after all.

"I suppose I deserved that. Although I was not here when it happened I remain responsible. I will not hand them over to you but I am prepared to give you a chance to catch up with them if you will allow me time enough to make sure my own men are away and the children on their way back to you."

"One hour, if you don't get back to me the elders are dead and we come looking for the children, even if it means tearing your village apart at the seams."

"There is no need for such threats Major, I am a man of my word."

The connection broke and Darius came back on the line,

"I'll watch out for his next communication Major."

"Do you think he was telling the truth?"

"I don't know much about Johnny H admittedly but everything I have heard backs up his reputation as an honest man to deal with. I think he's telling the truth and I'm pretty sure he'll make good and certain that I can trace the children on their journey back."

"What about Charlie? We can't just leave his body up there."

"I'm not sure Johnny can help you with that, if he could he would have already offered but it might be worth asking him. I can arrange transportation back to Forks along with paperwork to cover his death. I'd just like to say that I am truly sorry about this Bella, all of it. Rosalie too."

"That's OK Darius, I know if there was anything you could have done you would."

"Thank you Bella. Well, I'll be back within the hour, I hope."

Bella and Rosalie looked at me expectantly,

"Do you really think the children are on their way back Jasper?"

"Well, you heard Darius, he trusts Johnny H so I guess we should too."

"You aren't going to let the elders go until we see the children are you?"

"No, nor am I letting them go until I know where the pack are. From what Johnny said I'd imagine they are on their way back along with some of the Denali guardians, probably to wipe us out. That's why he wanted time...to get his people out of the danger zone which means they can't be that far away. Peter, you and Emmett go, check the village wreckage and the roads into Forks. I doubt they are that close but I'd rather be safe than sorry."

"I'll go with them Jasper, it's the least I can do."

I nodded and the three of them, Justin in the rear, went off to check our immediate surroundings for signs of trouble.